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Big Ten Basketball: Predicting teams at the top for 2019-20 season

By Brandon Simberg

COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 5: C.J. Jackson #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes pokes the ball away from Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans in the first half on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 5: C.J. Jackson #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes pokes the ball away from Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans in the first half on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 16: Gabe Brown #13 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates Xavier Tilman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans made basket at the end of the first half against Green Bay Phoenix at Breslin Center on December 16, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 16: Gabe Brown #13 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates Xavier Tilman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans made basket at the end of the first half against Green Bay Phoenix at Breslin Center on December 16, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

1. Michigan State

Key players lost: Nick Ward, Matt McQuaid, Kenny Goins

Key players returning: Cassius Winston, Aaron Henry, Joshua Langford, Xavier Tillman, Kyle Ahrens

Key newcomers: Rocket Watts, Malik Hall

No team in the Big Ten and maybe even the country has more talent returning than Michigan State. With reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Cassius Winston at the helm, the Spartans are poised to be the conference’s best team.

Along with Winston, sophomore Aaron Henry is back after an impressive second half of the season. Xavier Tillman also took big strides after the loss of Nick Ward, starting the last 14 games of the season. They also get Joshua Langford back who was the team’s second leading scorer before a foot injury caused him to miss the majority of the season. Winston, Langford, Tillman and Henry are all candidates to score double figures for this potent Spartans offense.

There are two x-factors on Tom Izzo’s roster that could take his team a notch higher. The first one is incoming freshman Rocket Watts. Watts, a top 30 recruit, was a dynamic scorer next to LaMelo Ball at Spire Institute last year. He is a quick twitch athlete that would probably start at most other schools in the conference. I’m also intrigued by sophomore Marcus Bingham. Bingham scarcely saw time last season but he put weight on his 6’11 frame and could be a key piece in the front court in the absence of Nick Ward.

Michigan State’s biggest question is who starts at the other frontcourt spot next to Tillman? Similar to Maryland, the Spartans could throw out a smaller lineup with rising senior Kyle Ahrens or Aaron Henry (both stand at 6’6) but if Bingham has made progress we could see him there as well. They will also need freshman Malik Hall to contribute instantly. Hall is a 6’7 forward who can shoot the three but his rebounding will be put to the test.

Big Ten preseason power rankings for 2019-20. dark. Next

Michigan State has won shares of back-to-back Big Ten regular-season titles, and I’d be shocked if they don’t do it again. Michigan State will likely open the season as the number one team in the A.P. poll and they deserve it.

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